NHS Hounslow chiefs have vowed to increase breast screening facilities in the area as it emerged more than 1,000 women in Hounslow miss appointments for potentially life-saving scans each year.

The promise comes after one Hounslow woman contacted the Chronicle in disgust after she was forced to travel six miles for an assessment.

Jacqueline Darley, of Whitton Road, was horrified to discover the nearest venue for a routine check-up was in Greenford - in a health centre car park 15 minutes from the nearest train or tube station.

The 60-year-old volunteer driver plans to attend but fears elderly and disabled residents may miss their scans because of the distance involved.

She has demanded to know why her appointment could not be made at West Middlesex Hospital or the Heart of Hounslow health centre, both of which have much better transport links with the rest of the borough.

"I'm flabbergasted women are being asked to travel so far for these vital scans," she said.

"It's tragic that the Government keeps saying how breast screening's a major priority and yet the distance some-women are being asked to travel means they may not attend."

However, a spokesman for NHS Hounslow said there was already a mobile screening unit occasionally based at the West Mid and it planned to improve provision this summer.

"Later this year a new permanent diagnostic facility will open, as part of Heart of Hounslow becoming a polyclinic, and will include breast screening services," he added.

"This will help reduce the number of missed appointments and improve the chances of early detection of breast cancer."

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, affecting about 150 people in Hounslow alone every year.

All women aged between 50 and 70 are invited for a mammogram once every three years as part of the NHS breast screening programme, which is estimated to save around 1,400 lives a year.

However, more than 1,000 women in Hounslow miss their appointments every year.

Cath Foot, Cancer Research UK's head of policy, said: "Primary care trusts have a responsibility to provide comprehensive screening facilities within the local area and should take measures to provide good access for patients."

Brentford & Isleworth MP Ann Keen, a junior health minister, said breast screening was a 'sensitive process' for women but access would improve when facilities open in the Heart of Hounslow.

Anyone who has recently missed an appointment and wants a new one should call 020 8383 6644.